Applesauce is the classic pureed fruit sauce, used on everything from pancakes to blintzes to ice cream. Pear sauce has a more subtle flavor and makes an elegant addition to any food in need of a sweet side–and kids love it all by itself. This homemade pear sauce has no need for added sugar–pears are packed with natural sugar–and gets a bit of added flavor from cinnamon.

You can make a similar fruit sauce from almost any other fruit. Try plums, peaches or even pineapple or mango.

Ingredients (yields about 26 ounces of sauce)

3 large ripe pears such as D’Anjou, cored and chopped into half-inch cubes

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups water

Directions

In medium-size saucepan, combine pears, water and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cubes are soft.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

According to desired consistency, either mash with fork or potato masher, or use food processor or hand blender.

Allow to cool completely, then pack in glass jars and refrigerate.

Serve as baby food or snack/desert for kids, or as condiment, wherever you’d use applesauce.

Chilled Fruit Salad with CoconutThis easy recipe for a chilled fruit salad with coconut chips and coconut water is a sweet, crunchy, colorful way to get your kids excited about eating a variety of fruit.